Here’s the full recipe for 🍖 Slow Cooker French Onion Meatloaf — a juicy, flavorful twist on classic meatloaf with rich onion flavor and a savory glaze. It’s pure comfort food, made easy in your slow cooker! 😋
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5–6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
Total Time: ~6 hours
🧂 Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
1 packet (1 oz) dry French onion soup mix
1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup milk
½ cup ketchup, divided
½ cup shredded mozzarella or Provolone cheese (optional, for inside)
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp black pepper
Fresh parsley (for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Caramelize the Onions (optional but worth it!)
In a skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat.
Add sliced onions and cook slowly for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and soft.
Add Worcestershire sauce, stir, and set aside.
(If you prefer to skip this step, you can add raw onions directly to the slow cooker, but caramelized onions add a richer flavor.)
2. Make the Meatloaf Mixture
In a large bowl, combine:
Ground beef
French onion soup mix
Breadcrumbs
Eggs
Milk
¼ cup ketchup
Pepper
Mix gently with your hands until everything is just combined (don’t overmix).
3. Shape and Layer
Shape the meat mixture into a loaf.
Line the bottom of your slow cooker with half of the caramelized onions.
Place the meatloaf on top of the onions.
Spread the remaining onions over the top.
If desired, press a line of cheese into the center of the loaf before shaping — it melts beautifully inside!
4. Add the Glaze
In a small bowl, mix the remaining ¼ cup ketchup with 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (and a pinch of brown sugar if you like it sweet).
Brush this glaze over the top of the loaf.
5. Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until fully cooked (internal temperature 160°F / 71°C).
6. Serve
Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Spoon some of the onion mixture and juices from the slow cooker over each slice.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with mashed potatoes or green beans.
💡 Tips:
For extra flavor, mix ½ cup shredded cheese directly into the meat mixture.
You can use ground turkey or pork instead of beef — just adjust cook time slightly.
To prevent sogginess, place a few slices of bread under the loaf to absorb excess grease.